Slight

/slaɪt/ · adjective

Meaning

Minor; small in amount.

Definitions by Sense

1. Minor; small in amount
2. Of slender build.
3. (regional) Even, smooth or level.
4. (especially said of the sea) Still; with little or no movement on the surface.
5. (obsolete) Foolish; silly; not intellectual.
6. (regional, obsolete) Bad, of poor quality.
7. (dated) Slighting; treating with disdain.
8. (transitive) To treat as unimportant or not worthy of attention; to make light of.

Example Sentences

a slight but graceful woman

his own figure, which was formerly so slight

But now, ten years later, after his recent shipwreck, he cannot compete as a runner, though he can outthrow the slighter Phaeacians with the heaviest discus.

A slight stone

The sea was slight and calm

But no beast ever was so slight, For man, as for his god, to fight; They have more wit, alas! and know Themselves and us better than so.

1889 (first published), George Washington, Writings we frequently have slight Goods and sometimes old and unsaleable Articles

This slight way of treating both his book and his ancestors nettled little Puddock – who never himself took a liberty, and expected similar treatment – but he knew Sturk, the nature of the beast, and he only bowed grandly […]

Synonyms for slight

Antonyms for slight

Related Words

Word Forms

• slighter
• slightest
• slights
• slighting
• slighted

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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